Neuropharmacological Study of ATP Receptors, Especially in the Relationship between Glia and Pain.

We reported that several molecules of microglia are activated after peripheral nerve injury in a neuropathic pain model. In particular, P2X4 receptors (P2X4Rs) expressed in microglia play a critical role in evoking neuropathic pain. P2X4Rs are upregulated in spinal microglia after nerve injury by several factors such as the CC chemokine receptor CCR2, fibronectin in the spinal cord, interferon regulatory factor (IRF) 8, and IRF5 expressed in microglia. The inhibition of P2X4R action suppresses the functions of microglia and neuropathic pain. These results indicate that overexpressing P2X4Rs on microglia are a central player in evoking neuropathic pain. PMID: 28458288 [PubMed - in process]
Source: Yakugaku Zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Tags: Yakugaku Zasshi Source Type: research